T-R FILE PHOTO
The July 19, 2018 EF-3 tornado developed northwest of Marshalltown near the village of Marietta, according to the National Weather Service. It traveled southeast on the western side of the Iowa River before it took on a wedge appearance as it entered northwest Marshalltown. Peak winds estimated at 144 mph. The tornado’s path was 8.26 miles with a maximum width of 900 yards.

When an emergency happens and every second counts, responders need a helping hand.

Just ask emergency responders who assisted with Marshalltown’s post-tornado recovery effort and in critical days that followed.

That is where the Marshall County Community Emergency Response Team comes into play.

CERT fills the gap between the responders and the citizens, Marshall County Emergency Management Coordinator Kim Elder said.

“We can free up law enforcement to do their job,” Elder said. “We can direct traffic. If an EMS needs help to carry victims or manage a situation, we can do that as well.”

Marshall County CERT was certified as a nonprofit in 2017 and also conducts critical search-and-rescue operations and sponsors training.

It is the latter Elder and team who are excited to offer training starting 5 p.m. on Thursday. A second session will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Elder said students must attend all sessions to be certified.

Classes are held at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office on the third floor at 2369 Jessup Ave.

Students can apply lessons learned to home or workplace situations.

Classes are:

• Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

• Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

• Unit 3 & 4: Disaster Medical Operations

• Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

• Unit 6: CERT Organization

• Unit 7: Disaster Psychology

• Unit 8: Terrorism and CERT

• Unit 9: Overview and Disaster Simulation

“Our Marshall County CERT team will be helping with classes, so they will be discussing real life situations where they have used skills,” Elder said.

After taking the class, students will be given certificates of completion and will be eligible to apply to join the CERT team.

Class size is limited, so sign up immediately, Elder said.

Contact Elder at 641-754-6385, or kelder@marshallcountyia.gov